Strawberry Parfait Pudding

by Michelle on February 28, 2011

Strawberries are on sale this week for $.99 a quart. The strawberry display was mobbed when I went grocery shopping and I had to almost push my way in to grab three quarts! I guess everyone is a little tired of winter and needed some gorgeous red berries to sweeten their day. As I pushed my cart around my market, I noticed that some carts were stacked with 20-30 quarts of strawberries! WOW, what is going on here? I wanted to ask what they were making, but most seemed deep in thought and probably thinking “what I am going to do with all these berries”.

But I knew I would be making strawberry pudding because, well I’ve never made strawberry pudding before. And it’s been so dreary and muddy outside I needed something pretty and pink. And when I tasted the final pudding, I loved it but Mr. Tastebuds said it was just okay. I’m pretty sure it was because of the pink color of the pudding and nothing to do with the taste.

Mr. Tastebuds has some odd opinions when it comes to color. Have you ever taken a good look at your significant other’s closet? Are there any dominate colors? Mr. Tastebuds has a nice sized walk-in closet which has one rack of shirts, all white and then as you look around the rest of the racks and shelves, everything is a shade of gray. I discussed this color problem with him once and he promptly pulled out a suit and said “but this is blue”, but it really wasn’t blue, it was gray.

When we remodeled our home we decided to have His and Her bathrooms in the Master Suite. Mostly because I’m not the neatest person, actually I’m pretty messy, in the bathroom and I have long brown hair and it seems to shed everywhere. It’s just not fair that he is so neat and then has to share a bathroom with me. Mr. Tastebuds didn’t want to help pick the colors for his bathroom so I just picked mottled gray tones for the tile, off white for the walls, mottled gray granite for the vanity top and a plain white, round sink and commode. I did pick a wonderful craftsman style light fixture with muted red and yellow glass for over his sink. Although he loves his bathroom and seems to spend an awful lot of time in there, he doesn’t like the light fixture which is the only thing with any color in the entire room!

But if Mr. Tastebuds wants his life a shade of gray, that’s fine with me. Just leave my Pink Pudding alone and next time don’t eat so much of it okay?

1. Clean and hull the berries. Put in a food processor and process until a fine pulp. Set aside.
2. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add the milk, egg yolks, Tapioca, sugar or sugar substitute and whisk together careful to break the egg yolks. Turn the burner up to medium and heat, stirring to avoid burning until to comes to a full, rolling boil.
3. Add the strawberry pulp and boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
4. Remove from heat and let it sit for 2 minutes.
4. Gently blend in the cardamom and vanilla. If the pudding is not quite pink enough, dip a toothpick into the red food coloring and swish it around in the pudding and then whisk gently. Make sure you’ve thoroughly mixed in the food coloring.
5. Ladle the pudding into dessert dishes and chill at least 2-3 hours or overnight. Overnight is best.
6. When puddings are completely chilled and set, top each pudding with whipped cream, dash of nutmeg or shaved chocolate and fresh strawberries.

We’re rolling in cheap, seasonal strawberries here in Florida, and I can’t get enough of them right now. I love your “double the pleasure” approach to this wonderful fruit in combination with yummy, old-fashioned tapioca pudding. Nice!

Oh Michelle, thanks for the chuckles!!! ;-p Your comment “next time don’t eat so much of it okay?” was wonderful!!! ;-p

You always fix such visually pleasing food. So colorful, served with flair. Your artistic style comes through loud and clear, and I relish it! Yet I bet “Mr. Tastebuds” would be just as happy with a meal of Country Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes, served with milk pan gravy smothered over both and smashed green beans as a veggie. o;-b!

I have been having cravings for strawberries. Thanks so much for helping me quench that (all sarcasm intended o;-b).